1) What will I get next?

2) What do I eventually want to get?  In the end there should be some limit to what I buy?

In terms of what to buy next, I have had several thoughts given my budget.  I have already decided to pickup the Canon TS-E 17mm once our kitchen remodel is finished.  The question is what else to purchase.

Option 1

Canon 200mm F4 Hybrid IS Macro – This is only a rumor of course.  However given Canon’s press release about a hybrid IS coming out in a lens before the end of the year this is a very possible reality.

I am very torn about this one.  Recently I sold my Canon 180mm macro because I just could not get dependable results out of it.  I do not know what it truly was, but while I can get consistent results from the MP-E 65, I found that the sharpness on the 180L was lacking.  I suspect this new macro would not have this issue.

Canon 85mm 1.2L

This is one incredible lens, but my main worry is how much I will use it.  I would mainly use it for shots of my kids.  It would certainly allow me to sell my Canon 50mm 1.4 that I hardly ever use.

Canon TS-E 24 II

At first it seemed silly to buy this together with the TS-E 17mm.  However, they make an incredible combo.  While the TS-E 17mm has the width, the TS-E 24mm has the advantage that it accepts filters and has more shift.  For real estate, the TS-E 17mm is the best for interiors, while the TS-E 24mm is better suited to exteriors.

Buy nothing and save for the 600mm

This is my dream lens, but it doesn’t seem very logical to put everything into this lens right now.  Besides, at the end of next year they’ll probably announce a replacement.

And the answer is…

Tentatively I have decided to go with buying the TS-E 24mm II along with the TS-E 17mm.  The combination will not only be a killer combination for real estate, they also will be great landscape and travel lenses.

I may change my mind if Canon releases the 200mm F4 Hybrid IS macro – depending on the specs.  However I’m more likely to still buy the TS-E 24mm and put my real estate sales towards buying the 200mm macro next year.

All of the other lenses for which there are rumors seems less interesting.

New Canon fisheye(s)

There are several rumors that new fisheyes will be released.  I have long debated purchasing a fisheye.  Certainly the shots are interesting and you can do some great things in it, but the main worry is whether it would regularly make the final cut for the bag?  I can only fit so much into the bag and I’m more likely to take the tilt shifts than a fisheye.

Canon 24-70 2.8 IS

I have not and do not intend to buy a 24-70 lens.  It has nothing to do with the image stabilization.  That focal length just doesn’t work for me.

Canon 24-105 2.8 IS

This is far more intriguing and I would certainly be tempted.  If such a lens existed, I would probably purchase it eventually despite its size.  That focal length would work well for me and it would be a great vacation lens.  If they could pull this off, it may even push my 16-35 II out of my bag sometimes – given that I would have the TS-E 17 already.  However, I would be unlikely to buy this immediately.  I would want to know that they truly pulled it off and right now the TS-E 24 is more important to me.

Canon 70-200 2.8 IS II

This lens definitely makes sense for Canon.  It is a flagship lens and though the current one is great it could use an update.  As for me, I’m perfectly happy with my 70-200 F4 IS due to its small size and see no reason to purchase a 2.8 version.

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• Canon 14mm 2.8L
• Canon TS-E 24

I currently use the 16-35mm 2.8 II for all of my real estate photography, mounted on a full frame sensor.  Therefore I was very curious to see what the 14mm can do as well as the tilt effect of the TS-E 24.  The following shot used the 16-35.

Here is the comparison shot with the 14mm (first version).

As you can see, the 14mm does make a difference.  While the window on the right roughly lines up on the edge, with the 14mm you can see a bit of the bathroom.  The verticals are better on the 16mm shot, but that is due to camera position, not due to the lens.

Based on this result, I liked the 14mm but not enough to justify its price.  Perhaps if I were faced with a very large interior this would be the lens of choice, but for real estate photography I don’t think it’s worth it.

I also played a bit with the TS-E 24, though I don’t have the shots here.  I do think that I will purchase this lens someday but it’s mainly useful for outside shots – such as the front of the house.

The main problem is it is not wide enough.  I really like the width of the 16-35 at the wide end, though I do like the perspective correction with the TS-E 24.  I did play around with it with taking pictures with a mirror in the bathroom.  Supposedly it helps quite a bit taking pictures in rooms with a lot of mirrors – so you don’t wind up in one of the shots.  I found that the shift does help – but it is not a miracle maker.

Therefore I do plan to buy the TS-E 24 someday, but I’m not sure where it ranks in my current list of things to purchase.  For sure it ranks below buying an Alienbees light.

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However, while I do think I am gradually improving, I have recently been debating on which direction I will take in my equipment purchases.  The reason is, my next purchase will have a significant impact on which types of photographs I take in the future.  The question has become less, “what lens should I buy” and more “what types of pictures do I want to take in the nearer future”.

I would appreciate any opinions on the possible choices before me.

Option 1 – My original plan was to buy the Canon 180mm 3.5L to increase my range in macro photography.  I have often longed to photograph bees and dragonflies, but the truth is they are just too difficult to get with the MP-E 65.  A longer lens such as the 180L would make this much easier.  I currently have more than the savings necessary to do this, so it’s the easiest choice to act on now.  After the 180L though, I have several choices and I am currently undecided.

a) Go the strobists route and purchase some flashes and remote triggers.  Most likely I would go the pocket wizards route as I have seen the ST-E2 in use and was not very impressed by its reliability.  To be honest I am not very big into the type of portrait photography that this approach helps most with.  Still, as Nelya gets more real estate listings this will probably help out greatly.  Currently I use a tripod and hold the shutter for my real estate photos – but I am not very impressed of the results when there are lights I cannot dim or windows.  However, I do have a feeling I would use the approach with Eitan and Nathan.

b) Strengthen my lens “collection” more.  The main lens, other than the 180L, that I have my eyes on now is the TS-E 90.  I would use this chiefly for macro shots and it would fully complete my macro arsenal.  Other lenses I have an interest in are the 85mm 1.2 and the 14mm 2.8 (for real estate).

c) Improve my filters and accessories.  The chief filters I would look at are the Singh-Ray neutral density and blue/gold polarizers.  I may also look at a RRS panorama bracket kit.

Option 2 – Take the plunge into bird photography and buy the 600mm F4L.  I have long been interested in birds, just like I am interested in insects, but I was quite disappointed in the performance of my Sigma 80-400 OS here.  There were multiple issues with this lens – I found the sharpness lacking, autofocus was extremely slow, and 400mm was often not enough.  The Canon 600mm F4L, combined with a 1.4x extender would surely answer these questions.  I have already spent a great deal of time comparing this lens with the Canon 500mm F4L and the Sigma 300-800 and have chosen the 600mm F4L as the best choice.

The obvious disadvantage with this route is the fact that this lens is extremely expensive.  I will need to save my microstock funds for the entire year to be able to afford it.  Another disadvantage is the fact that I cannot really use this lens from the house.  I need to drive somewhere where I can find birds for it to be effective.  Actually, this isn’t exactly the truth.  I’m sure that I can put some bird feeders up and bird friendly bushes and then photograph from an opening in a window.

The main advantage of this lens is the new types of photographs and knowledge that it would open up.  The main difficulty with insect photography is it is extremely difficult to find someone with intimate knowledge of insects who is willing to walk around with me in the forest and teach me things.  This is not the case with bird photography – where there are numerous Audobon groups who would be more than happy to help me learn the basics.  It also helps that I have a cousin who pretty much knows everything there is to know about them.

Currently this is a gut wrenching decision for me.  Do I save for the entire year and enter the world of bird photography, or do I strengthen my equipment in macro and landscape photography?  One choice that I have already eliminated is upgrading my Canon 5D.  Almost assuredly Canon will release an update for it this year, but given the frequency with which Canon replaces cameras and new technologies come out, it is a far better choice right now to invest in lenses, which have much longer life times.

Each path enables new types of photography for me.  My immediate path lies in improving my skills with the equipment I already have, but I can’t resist looking towards the future and what types of photography I would like to add.

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I have a point and shoot right now and I want to buy an SLR. What type should I buy?

This question is usually followed by several models – such as the Canon Digital Rebel models or the Nikon D40 or D80. What most beginners do not realize is that the camera is only a small part of the equation. I have decided, as an interesting exercise, to look at my own equipment. I would not expect new photographers to buy the same equipment that I have, nor would I expect you to spend as much as I did. However, I would expect that anyone getting into photography will wind up spending the same ratios on equipment that I have.

I will not list the prices I paid, as many of these fluctuate and that drifts away from the point I am trying to make. In addition, I expect if my wife saw the numbers she might have heart failure. In general, there are six areas of expenditure for digital SLR photography. Also, I will calculate things at the original price that I paid and I will not include items I have since sold (which reduces the lenses percentage).

Cameras – most people realize this and this is where beginners put most of their thoughts

Lenses – this is perhaps the most important area as the lens typically determines what type of shots you can take, not the camera. Note that I also include filters in this category.

Accessories – all the little do dads that add up

Lighting – this includes flashes and studio lighting

Support – this includes tripods, ball heads, and miscellaneous brackets

Software/Hardware – this includes your computer and any necessary software

The following is a graph of what I wound up paying for each area as a percentage.

I will now break down the areas and list what equipment I use, for those who are interested.

Camera equipment

    I currently use the Canon 5D. The main reason I went for the 5D was the relatively high megapixel count (at the time) and the fact that it is full frame.

Lenses

    Lenses should be the largest expense of any photographer. I currently use the following lenses.

    Canon 70-200 4.0L IS – This is currently my walk around lens. It is incredibly sharp and the IS is amazing.

    Canon 16-35 2.8L II – This is still my favorite “normal” lens. It rivals the 70-200 in sharpness and was on my camera constantly in the canyons of Petra and through most of Israel and Jordan.

    Canon 50mm 1.4 – I don’t use this lens very often. However it is great for taking pictures indoors without flash and when I use it there’s really nothing else I have that can do what it does.

    Canon MP-E 65 – This is the main lens I use when not on vacation and is used for most of my macros.

    Canon 180 3.5L – I haven’t actually bought this lens yet, but I already have the funds for it and am just waiting for the final OK from the financial controller.

    B&W Circular Polarizer – Basically a required filter in my book.

Accessories

    Simple diffuser – I have a simple diffuser for my 580 EX flash. I forget the name of it.

    Canon remote switch – This is also a basic, required, accessory. I really wish Canon would just include it in the box with the camera.

    Flash extension cord – If you buy a flash, this is also a very important accessory. Very often I remove the flash from the camera. I do not yet have the strobists setup.

    Angle Viewfinder C – I’ll probably use this more often with the 180L. With the MP-E 65 the viewfinder is too dark and it’s too difficult to track things. I suspect I will find some interesting uses for it though.

    Hot shoe leveler – This is critical if you are taking panorama pictures

    Canon CP-E 4 – This extends the battery life of both of my flashes significantly and decreases the recycle time. I use it whenever I am using either the 580 EX or the MT-24EX and it is always in my bag. I can’t imagine what life was like before it with my MT-24EX, as flash recycle time is critical when photographing moving insects.

    Extra battery – Always get one. When one battery runs out I replace it with the other one and charge the first one.

    Giotto rocket blower – This is essential for keeping the sensor clear. It may be less necessary with the newer dust removing cameras.

    Eclipse cleaning solution and swabs – Always remember to clean your sensor. The rocket blower helps for the big dust spots but at times you need a more thorough cleaning.

    Eneloop rechargeable AA batteries – Necessary for the flashes

    Travel hard drive card readers – I bought a simple device called the Digimate III for about $30 and put a 60GB laptop hard drive in it. When I travel, I take two of these units so I can backup my photos as well as for when my memory cards are full. I always place them in different places to reduce the risk of loss.

    Memory cards – These have gotten cheaper it seems each day. I currently have an 4 GB card and an 8 GB card and do not see the need to increase them until I upgrade my camera.

    Flash card reader – This is very helpful for getting pictures on the computer and is much better and faster than hooking the camera itself up to the computer.

    Tamrac camera bag – I forgot the model number, but a camera bag is a basic necessity. I am currently able to fit my camera, all lenses except for the 180L, my filters, extra battery, cords, 580EX and CP-E 4 in my bag. I will likely need to look at a bigger bag soon, though I’ve never had airport issues with my current bag.

Lighting

    Canon 580 EX – This is the workhorse flash when I am not taking macro shots. I have found no reason to upgrade to the newer II model. An external flash is a basic necessity for starting out, though there are cheaper models than the 580 EX. I do not yet have any studio lights or a strobist configuration as I am not very interested in taking shots of people. Perhaps someday.

    Canon MT-24EX – As I mentioned before, this is a requirement when you purchase the MP-E 65. I use this flash for all of my macro photography.

    Medium and small light tents – I bought a jewelry light box kit some time ago that contains two different sized light tents, two constant 5000K lights, and one “sparkle light”. I now use this setup (sans sparkle light) for my isolation shots.

Support

    Gitzo 1348 tripod – A good tripod is essential and Gitzo is basically the best out there. I am quite tall (6’5″) so this tripod works well for me. I also like that it doesn’t have a center column because those tripods are less stable.

    Markins M20 ball head – Expensive, but I have no complaints about it.

    Lens plates – both the MP-E 65 and the 180L require lens plates. I use ones from Kirk, though Really Right Stuff I’m sure is just as good

    Really Right Stuff L bracket – The L bracket lets you take both horizontal and vertical shots on the tripod. I liked Really Right Stuff’s version the best and I am very happy with it.

    Kirk macro rail – To take macros on a tripod you need a macro rail. Mine also does double duty for panoramas – so I can adjust for the nodal point of the lens (though for single layer horizontal panoramas only). When used with the MP-E 65, the vast majority of macro rails out there simply aren’t precise enough. The only two good ones out there are Kirk and Really Right Stuff. The RRS macro rail is more precise, but the Kirk rail is significantly cheaper due to a smarter design. I have no complaints about the Kirk macro rail.

Software/Hardware

    This one is hard to quantify, as I use my computer for many purposes other than photography. Basically, though, you will need a good size monitor for editing and a relatively fast computer. I currently use a duo core 64 bit system with 4 GB of RAM and a 24″ monitor. I expect in the near future to get hit with more expenses here as I upgrade my software, buy a monitor calibration unit, and perhaps buy a Wacom unit. As this area is rather fuzzy I will not include it in the ratios.

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